Church continues century-old chicken salad sale

Parishoners from the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Opelousas make final preparations for their annual chicken salad sandwich sale which begins at 10 a.m. today in the church hall. From left are Susan Litton, Charlotte Finney and Jessie Davis.(Photo: Freddie Herpin, Daily World)Buy Photo

For more than 100 years, though no one knows exactly how long, the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany on South Union Street in Opelousas has sold their chicken salad, and over the decades, the secret recipe has stayed the same, passed on through the generations of parishioners who have volunteered their time at the annual sale.

At 95 years old, Betty Litton is considered by other parishioners as the "matriarch" of the sale, having worked the event for the past 50 to 60 years.

According to Litton, the church held a Mardi Gras ball for the children of the church and community where the chicken salad sandwiches were served as a part of the refreshments. The church stopped hosting the Mardi Gras ball, but continued to make the sandwiches and sold them as a way to make money for the church.

Litton was taught the recipe from her mother and her mother-in-law, and according to her, the church held the sale another generation or two before them.

"The recipe is very simple," Litton said. "Other people variate with their own recipes, but the church has always stayed the same. No variations."

Over the years, Litton has worked several jobs with the event such as delivering the sandwiches and measuring ingredients, and has now moved to bagging the sandwiches.

According to parishioner Sheryl Picchioni, while Litton bags, she weighs the sandwiches in her hand and will send the sandwiches back to the kitchen if they feel too light, ensuring the quality of their products.

The sandwiches are made the morning they're sold to ensure they're fresh. The church is expecting to sell 2,300 sandwiches this year, and volunteers will be meeting at 4:30 a.m. to begin making the salad to ensure it's all ready to sell and deliver beginning at 10 a.m.

"People of all religions come to make the chicken salad, too," said Litton.

And just like the church members who make the chicken salad in bulk, the community buys in bulk as well. One business in Opelousas pre-ordered 120 sandwiches, and one family ordered 98.

The chicken salad sandwiches will be available for purchase at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany on South Union Street in Opelousas from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $2.50 each on Thursday.

Over the years, the church used to cook its own chicken and make its own mayonnaise for the event, but have recently had to rely on store-bought supplies because the sale became so large.

"It's a wonderful tradition, and it's wonderful to have the community on board," said Picchioni on Wednesday. "We've already had people this morning trying to get their sandwiches today."

By the Numbers

The 2016 Episcopal Church of the Epiphany chicken salad sale involves: